Local Goa News

Friday, June 17, 2016

World’s most expensive luxury train could run on Goan tracks

PANJIM: The Maharajas’ Express – the most expensive luxury train in the world – is likely to run on Goa’s tracks next monsoon, with the Union Railway Ministry proposing to extend the train’s route in Southern India.
“There is ample scope for tourism development in Goa and Konkan belt and hence we have asked IRCTC to run the world’s most expensive luxury train Maharajas’ Express in the Southern India, covering Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala,” Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said at a function to lay the foundation stone for a new railway crossing at Kharepatan, Maharashtra via video conferencing.
“My plans are to see that by next year, the Maharajas' Express train should make trips in Goa during the monsoon. The travel is very expensive and will attract high-end tourists and generate revenue for the railways as well as the State,” the Minister said.
He added that the introduction of the train will help create employment and increase the average revenue of every Goan.
The Maharajas’ Express was voted ‘The world’s leading luxury train’ four times in a row at the World Travel Awards 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It runs on five circuits covering more than 12 destinations across north-west and central India, mainly centred on Rajasthan, between October and April.
Prabhu also said that Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) will set up 10 more railway stations along the Goa, Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala route, at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, Speaker Anant Shet, RDA Minister Alina Saldanha and Sindudurgh MP Vinayak Raut were present.